Missing Air filter!?!?

I bought a 95 zzr250 a month or so ago, which was going fairly well but after changing the oil I thought it still sounded abit rough and sick. So have just been checking how the air filter looks if it needed cleaning or replaceing and was very suprised to find the slot and bracket mesh bits that hold the air filter empty! So am going to be booking my bike in for a full service now to get everything looked at befor i ride it again... Reckon I'll need to get the carbys cleaned and maybe the engine reconditioned or cleaned?? has any one else ever ridden around with out an air filter I've done at least 2000k's on it. and it's any ones guess how long its been with out one....
Any thoughts on this from any one. I feel sick thinking about not sure how worried i should be. I'm suprised the engine hasnt seized..
this sucks.

